The state has
avoided the embarrassment of having to close its Governor's Mansion
but not the humiliation of having to ask for handouts from private
donors to keep it running.
Gov. Mark Sanford had reluctantly threatened to close the mansion
to the public and lay off maintenance personnel and the mansion chef
because the budget for upkeep had nearly been exhausted before he
moved in. Public areas of the mansion would have stayed closed until
the beginning of the next fiscal year in July, when the coffers
would be replenished.
But Sanford's announcement brought offers of help from the
private sector. Donations of $100,000 and cost-cutting measures
instituted by the governor will keep the mansion afloat for the next
few months.
Sanford eliminated the job of mansion manager in January. This
month he also has reduced some full-time positions to part-time
jobs. And he and his wife will have official guests over for
breakfast, which is cheaper than drinks and dinner.
Sanford and others have pointed fingers at former Gov. Jim Hodges
for running through the mansion budget. But he can't be held
entirely responsible. The blame also lies with state lawmakers, who
have scrimped on money for running the mansion but, in turn, has
turned a blind eye to transfers from other accounts to supplement
the mansion budget. If lawmakers had supplied the money needed to
pay for public functions at the mansion, Sanford wouldn't be in this
fix.
Hodges did make one move that helped bust the budget. He ended a
long tradition of staffing the mansion with prison trusties as cooks
and as wait-staff for social functions. He kicked the inmates out
after learning that some had been having sex on the premises. His
action, although understandable, resulted in paid help replacing
unpaid staff, which quickly drained the budget.
Sanford is thinking about reinstating the use of prison-ers,
although, with four young sons in the mansion, he may have to
increase security to watch out for hanky panky.
In any event, the responsibility for adequately funding mansion
accounts lies with the General Assembly. Although we respect
Sanford's insistence that he won't transfer money from other
accounts to cover expenses for the first family's residence, he
needs to make a forceful case for the money. If lawmakers won't
listen, then he should take his case directly to the citizens of
South Carolina.
The mansion is more than just a residence for the state's first
family. It is a historical site, a museum and a showcase for the
state's Southern hospitality. Scrimping on the budget is unfair to
the governor and the people of this state, and, in the end, is false
economy.
| In summary |
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The General Assembly has a responsibility to provide
adequate funds to run mansion.
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